A family-owned daily newspaper serving Riverton, Lander and Fremont County, Wyoming since 1949

Former Riverton resident Lilly Iden Riter works independently painting in Oregon, but four of her pieces are on display in Riverton. "Bison," above, is done in the style of photorealism, a common style in her work. Photo by Andrea Novotny

Iden Riter calls painting her zen

Jul 17, 2013 - By Andrea Novotny, Staff Writer

The Riverton grad has four pieces on display at Natural Health Solutions.

Lilly Iden Riter, who learned to paint at Riverton High School and Central Wyoming College, now works independently painting in Oregon. Her most recent piece, "Bison," is one of her four pieces displayed in Natural Health Solutions, 705 E. Fremont Ave.,¬Riverton.

She was commissioned to paint each of the works by Dr. Walter Conard, who owns Natural Health Solutions.

She said she has been painting her entire life and has "never stopped painting." She calls painting her "zen."

"It's what I use to both reconnect with myself and escape," she said. "When I paint, I'm in my own world, and I like my own world."

Despite Iden Riter's little formal training, her art has been displayed in galleries and art shows around Wyoming as well as outside of the state.

"Bison" is done in the style of photorealism, a common style in Iden Riter's work. She said she likes the style because of the challenge it presents.

When painting photorealistic pieces, Iden Riter said she likes to work concurrently on other canvases and in different styles, such as abstract expressionism.

Most of her commissioned pieces are portraits of people or animals, "But I do it all," she said.

"I don't think there is a style I haven't tried, nor is there a style I would shy away from," she said.

All of Iden Riter's work is done in acrylic paint.

Iden Riter said she returns to Wyoming every few months to work for Natural Health Solutions as a massage therapist.